With only a handful of games remaining in the regular season, the Champlain Cougars women’s ice hockey team sits in third place behind juggernauts John Abbott and Limoilou.
While the team’s stellar defensive play deserves recognition, and the Cougars’ ability to shut down some of the best players in D1, a lot of credit falls on the shoulders of team captain, and second year forward, Gabrielle Santerre. She has put up 42 points in 21 games this season.
Santerre has been involved in nearly half of Champlain’s goals scored since mid-September, and according to head coach David Evangelho, her offensive prowess on the ice comes as no surprise to the coaching staff, or any of her teammates. She has always put in the work.
“She’s an athlete with an incredible attitude. She’s extremely mature for her age, and what’s happening now isn’t random. This is someone who works on the little details every day and she’s really by-the-books with everything she needs to do in preparation,” said Evangelho.
She also elevates everyone around her, he continued, as player’s look to follow in her footsteps, matching her intensity on the ice and during dry land training sessions. She has high expectations for herself, Evangelho said, and she demands the same from her teammates.
